The Guild of Gamers: The Warlock
Chapter 08: Shrieker
– Yennefer of Vengerberg –
She could tell Lucas was distracted by the realisation that the Raven Queen had set him up, slumping down on the bed as her mind raced. The Raven Queen herself was actively trying to make Lucas into the figure of prophecy, so what did that mean for Ciri?
Well, it wouldn't draw the Wild Hunt away from her since it was her blood they wanted, not anything to do with the prophecy, but it meant that her daughter could live a normal life once the Wild Hunt was dealt with. Ciri had been hounded all her life, for countless reasons, but for the first time Yen saw a path forward that saw Ciri free to act as she pleased.
She recrossed her legs, distracting Lucas from his thoughts as her gown parted enough to give him more than a small look at her long, pale legs and a hint of what lay between her thighs. She hid her smirk, well aware that her looks were a weapon.
"What do you plan to do, Lucas?" Yennefer asked, making him sigh.
"I've been tasked with ending the discrimination toward mages and elves. This prophecy changes little, in truth. If there really is an ice age coming to this world, then perhaps Albion will be the bastion we can use as shelter. Either way, it'll require resources and manpower to be able to shelter even our small numbers, let alone entire Kingdoms," Lucas finally said, making her nod in agreement. He wasn't wrong; if the world were covered in ice, Albion might be spared due to its position in the Feywilds. "And my powers are bound to draw unwanted attention eventually, whether it is Nilfgaard, Radovid, or the Wild Hunt. So we need to build up our defences."
"Agreed," Yennefer said with a pleased smile. If she wanted to shelter Ciri here, she'd need this place to be safe and able to hold off the Wild Hunt.
"As a noble of Raven's court, I can call upon some of the Winter Court's forces, but not enough to fight a war. We'll need more to withstand an invasion by the Wild Hunt, but we're already working on gathering more mages, and Saskia has suggested approaching the local Scoia'tael," Lucas continued.
"I have contacts in Ard Skellig we could speak to, the druids would give up much for a chance to study the forests here, and they could be good trading partners," Yennefer suggested, getting a nod from him. Ard Skellig wasn't a part of the war, and had no love for Nilfgaard or Redania. "I might be able to get some Witchers as well, if the Wild Hunt truly becomes a threat."
"Geralt?" Lucas asked, making her frown.
"Hopefully, but in truth nobody has seen him since Loc Muinne. Saskia was the last, and she claims that he simply left after he spared her," Yennefer admitted. "The School of the Wolf has a handful of Witchers who care for Ciri and would see this threat to her gone."
She'd tracked down Vesemir while looking for Geralt, but the old Witcher had no idea where he was either. He'd not gone back to Kaer Morhen. Vesemir said he'd look for Geralt, and she was sure he'd sent word to Eskel and Lambert.
"You want to bring Ciri here," Lucas said, making her nod shamelessly. She knew it would draw a target on Albion, but she wanted her daughter to be safe. Admittedly, Emhyr was expecting her to hand Ciri over to him but frankly he could fuck off. It was up to Ciri if she wanted to go back to meet her biological father. "And you want to use my blood to try and find her."
"Correct, Your Majesty," Yennefer admitted. "She was seen a few times, so I'm sure she's back in our world, but Ciri is… difficult to find when she doesn't want to be, and my best chance at tracking her is currently missing. The Hunt is after her, of that I'm sure."
"But bringing her here is bound to draw the Hunt to us. Raven is being vague on whether they could actually pursue her into this realm, which is never an encouraging thing, but even still, it'd draw their agents onto us anytime we act outside of Albion," Lucas said, and she nodded. She was well aware of what she was asking. "On the other hand, I don't like the idea of these Wild Hunt getting their hands on the Elder Blood either. Raven has made it clear that they are enemies, so I suspect I'll have to deal with them sooner or later."
"I won't deny, placing two people with the Elder Blood in one place is painting a massive target upon Albion," Yennefer admitted. "In truth, I was considering seducing you before I brought up the idea."
As she spoke, he blinked in surprise at her bluntness, his eyes once again falling on her gown-clad body. It had parted enough to give him a healthy view of her cleavage, and one leg was sticking out.
"Aren't you Geralt's lover?" Lucas asked, making her laugh.
"You're sweet, Lucas. I'd be highly surprised if Geralt isn't currently fucking some sorceress or other dangerous woman. Powerful women are like catnip to him," Yennefer admitted with a shrug, well aware that it made her breasts bounce. "My relationship with Geralt is… complicated to say the least."
"I've heard bits and pieces, and Philippa has made her opinion on Geralt and his… interest in Sorceresses clear," Lucas admitted, making her laugh. She could guess what Philippa had to say.
"The point is, I certainly wouldn't see seducing you as me being 'unfaithful'," Yennefer waved off, her blunt words clearly catching Lucas by surprise. "Come now, Your Majesty, a sorceress is never caught off guard. Do you think it's a coincidence that you arrived when I was freshly showered and barely dressed? You really need to be more suspicious, or you'll get eaten alive."
"I'm hardly a King yet," Lucas pointed out, but she just chuckled.
"Of course, but you do enjoy the way it rolls off my tongue, don't you?" Yennefer asked, catching a hint of a blush. "Or perhaps you'd prefer to hear me moan it?"
"You know I'm almost certainly going to help you without any seduction needed, right? Ciri seems too important to leave to her fate," Lucas said, making her smirk.
"True, you do seem the saviour sort. Like Geralt, you don't seem to be able to keep your nose out of danger," Yennefer admitted, seeing a mixture of relief and disappointment on his face as she dropped the sultry tone. "But I can't say I like that… almost. Tell me, Lucas, would spending the night with you increase your chance of aiding me save my daughter by even a single percent?"
His hesitation was all she needed to see, rising to her feet as the gown slipped away, exposing her entirely naked form to him. She was no virgin, and certainly wasn't modest or shy as she strutted over to the bed, the sway of her hips drawing his eyes. Each step made her breasts jiggle, the bounce enthralling him.
Seduction was one of the oldest weapons in the book, and just because knew she was using it as a weapon didn't make it any less dangerous as she stopped in front of him with a dangerous, hungry smile.
He went to speak, his words cut off by her lips as she tasted his strange, berry-like taste. His armour vanished, replaced with his regular clothes, which she rapidly removed as she left him shirtless, tossing his top over her shoulder.
"Yenn-" Lucas went to say as she placed her finger on his lips.
"Shush, Your Majesty. We can talk more in the morning, but I've had a stressful few months and I want this just as much as you clearly do," Yennefer explained, her hand groping his cock through his pants. He was rock hard, and clearly a good size, as she smirked hungrily. "Just enjoy the moment."
As she spoke, she undid his belt and worked down his trousers and boxers, watching his cock spring free. Her smirk grew slightly, her fingers wrapping around his length and giving him some slow strokes. He had a good length and girth for his size. He was unlikely to beat Geralt in the stamina department, few could, but she was going to enjoy this.
Finishing removing his clothes, she pushed him further onto the bed as she crawled over him. He might be the future King of Albion, but she was in control here and they both knew it as she gripped his cock tighter. A part of her knew she was getting back at Geralt for fucking Triss as she lined herself up, rubbing the tip of his cock against her slit before she slowly sunk down onto it.
His hands moved to her hips as he hissed from the sheer tightness of the sorceress pussy currently clenching down on his length. Her inner muscles were already hard at work tightening down on him, massaging his cock as she smirked and rested her hands on his chest.
"Fuck, Yen," Lucas groaned, his hands sliding up to cup her breasts as she began to move with a satisfied smile. It really had been too long, since none of the School of the Viper Witchers would sleep with her when she was with them, mostly out of respect for Geralt and because they knew she wasn't to be trusted. And it wasn't like she had many chances to scratch this itch in Nilfgaard.
"Just lay back and enjoy the ride, your majesty," Yennefer purred as she rotated her hips, beginning to bounce on his impressive shaft. He wasn't entirely passive, thrusting up to meet her bounces as he played with her nipples, teasing and tweaking them. Her moans weren't faked as she sped up, one of his hands moving to her ass.
– Lucas Hall –
Yennefer is dangerous, and this is probably a bad idea… but holy fuck she's so hot.
The candle she had lit is the only illumination as I watch her bounce on my cock with a lewd, dangerous smile on her lips, her beautiful moans filling the room as she rides me. Each bounce makes her perfect perky tits bounce, the tiny pink nipples already rock-hard under my touch and her ass is amazing. I know that sorceresses use magic to enhance their looks, but Yen is a work of art.
Her pussy is insanely tight and feels like a fucking furnace, and it's taking all I have not to burst as she rides me. There's more than she isn't telling me, but that's par for the course with these sorceresses. I don't mind her taking control, because it means I can focus on not busting. Rita doesn't feel like this, nor did Morgana or Felicia.
That doesn't mean I just lie there and take it, as I give her pert ass a spank and make her moan in surprise. She just smirks down at me, a dark look in her eyes as she speeds up, her internal muscles milking me for all I've got.
For just a moment, I have to wonder if this Geralt is a fucking idiot to constantly wander with a woman like Yennefer, but I stop myself. I don't know a thing about their relationship, and it's clear that Geralt isn't the only one who strays.
Either way, it's to my benefit as Yennefer picks up speed, the candle flickering as it burns out. It doesn't escape my notice that she has the same violet eyes as me, and as Grayson, for that matter. I can see why people say I have beautiful eyes.
Taking a chance, I flip us over and get a gasp of surprise from her as I pin her down, before her smirk returns and she leans in, her hot breath on my ear.
"Go on then, your majesty… impress me," Yennefer purrs, one leg wrapping around my waist as I grip her hips and begin to thrust. I'm not stupid. Her lover is a Witcher, a genetically modified super-human monster slayer, so I'm sure he's got me beat in more than a few ways, but I've got my own pride as a man and won't let myself cum before she does.
I won't say it's easy, my body crying out for release as her moans grow louder from the harsh pace I'm setting. I'm also sure that some of my… prowess can be blamed on my new fey blood, subconsiously guiding my thrusts to hit just right. Raven seems the sort to add that kind of thing as an additional, unmentioned benefit. My mouth latches onto her neck, getting a gasp of pleasure as I suckle on a sensitive spot I just… knew was there, her moans growing lewder and more honest.
"N-not bad, your majesty~" Yennefer moans, her nails digging into my back as her leg guides me to fuck her harder. She's certainly not fragile, the fancy bedframe creaking from the force of our liaison. I silence her almost taunting words with a rough kiss, probably bruising her lip with the sheer force behind it as I maul her breasts. She likes a little pain mixed in. Her body can't hide its honest reactions.
Pulling out, I briefly flip her over onto her front, forcing her onto her knees as my hand pushes her head into the silky sheets. She just looks back at me with a challenging look as I thrust back into her, using the new position to angle myself better, having more room to maneuver and the leverage to truly pick up speed.
I do make her cum, but the feeling of her body clenching down on me like a vice is enough to send me spiralling over the edge as I groan. No force in the universe could get me to pull out of her as I release my seed deep into her pussy, feeling her cunt milk me for every last drop.
Stumbling back, I watch her pussy close up tight enough to seal my seed inside her as she rolls back over, facing me with a smirk.
"I do hope you aren't finished so quickly, your majesty~" Yennefer teases, seeing my cock still rock hard. "Ahh, perfect."
May whatever God is listening help me, because I think I'm going to need it.
– Next Day –
As we move into the nest, I can't help but feel a little… spent. If Saskia notices my tiredness, she doesn't mention it as she moves into the Shrieker's nest with a dangerous smile. It turns out the Shrieker is a cockatrice, and Philippa was easily able to make a lure for it.
"Be careful not to kill it outright, Saskia," I say, making her laugh at my warning. I'm not worried for her, I'm worried for our quarry. We already lured it in, but my hellfire sent it running after Saskia battled with it. I think she was eager to flex her skills after so long in the Feywilds.
"Don't worry, I know what we're here for," Saskia reassures me as we enter the nest, hearing the warning shriek of the creature. The monster has the head of a rooster, but a body far larger than a horse with deadly talons on the tips of its wings and a razor-sharp beak. Its tail is equally deadly, which is why I'm happy to let my 'knight' take the forefront on this. Saskia is armoured, unlike me, and she's also a fucking dragon.
Saskia charges in, meeting the cockatrices furious, desperate charge as I unleash a whip of fire. I've been practising, and my whip goes wide to avoid Saskia before it lashes at the cockatrices wing, causing it to screech in pain and rage. Saskia ducks under the extended talons, slicing into the beast's side with her greatsword.
Honestly, even without us bringing a sorceress (which I deemed too risky when all the good ones are also very well-known and wanted women), this isn't a fair fight. It has learnt to fear hellfire, avoiding getting too close to me as I surround myself in a circle of it, and I've engulfed the only exits in a wall of it as well.
Saskia blocks its beak with her blade, getting the sharp metal caught between its mouth as I use the chance to once again whip the creature with hellfire, making it screech and back away. I can feel its will coming close to breaking, as it realises it is outmatched.
It starts to back away, shrieking at us as I nod to Saskia for her to stop her assault. Moving forward myself, I focus as I reach out with my mind and press my will upon the almost cowering monster. I won't say it doesn't put up a fight, but as the hellfire comes closer and Saskia brandishes her blade, I feel it give in and in that instant… it is mine.
The fight disappears, the creature's mind slaved to my own as it rises up, large, beady eyes looking at me for instructions. Saskia rests on her blade, looking over the creature with an impressed look in her eyes.
"Not bad, Lucas," Saskia finally says. "And you didn't need Philippa's rituals. As a victim of her magic, I can tell you that it is nowhere near as smooth."
"Somehow, I'm not surprised that Raven's method of enthralling is more effective than Philippas," I say with a somewhat tired sigh. This power is mentally draining, I wouldn't want to try it on anything more powerful than a cockatrice right now.
"True. Raven is everything Philippa only wishes she was," Saskia scoffs, her distaste clear. I notice her hesitate. For such a powerful creature, she's actually more honest and easy to read than you'd expect.
"What is it, Saskia?" I ask, making her blink in surprise before she laughs.
"I forget that you have a backdoor into my head," Saskia admits wryly, but I just snort.
"I also have eyes. I don't need the bond when it's written all over your face," I counter, making her blush slightly.
"Fair. Philippa's suggestion that we frame the Scoia'tael got me thinking, and I've asked around. I think I know where I could recruit some Scoia'tael to Albion, but I don't think they'd be open to negotiating if you came with me," Saskia admits, making me pause. "I had Bella do some investigating for me, and asked some of the mages that were from Velen. There's a 'beast' attacking Redanian transports, but not the civilians. Bella was able to confirm that its a small band of Scoia'tael. My name still carries some weight. I just need your permission to go and try to get them under our banner."
"You're a big girl, Saskia. You're my knight, not my slave. Take Bella with you, she'll tell me where to make the portal for you to get home," I say, summoning Bella, who flies over to Saskia and sits on her shoulder with a playful smile. Saskia gives me a smile, nodding.
"I'll be back before nightfall, Lucas. Hopefully with some new friends," Saskia agrees, pleased that I accepted her request.
As I watch her leave, I frown for a moment before shaking my head. Velen isn't exactly safe at the moment, but Saskia and Bella aren't easy prey. A dragon knight and a fairy. I pity anyone who tries to attack them, and if anything happens, Bella can call me.
Opening a portal, I guide the Shrieker through it and to Albion, where Yennefer and Philippa are waiting.
"Impressive, controlling monsters is no easy feat," Yennefer says, examining the cockatrice. "Where is Saskia?"
I explain Saskia's idea, hearing Philippa sigh and rub her forehead.
"Need I remind you that we already have food issues? Taking in more and more refugees is only going to make matters worse until we can stabilise things," Philippa points out, not incorrectly. "We can only forage for so much. We need a true supply line before we open the doors to anyone. That's not even mentioning the fact that we are inviting terrorist elves into our sanctuary. The enemy of our enemy is not always our friend. Sometimes they're just another enemy."
"But it's still a chance at making more allies. Allies we need," I point out, making her nod.
"On that we agree. We do need allies, but more substantial ones than some elves hiding in the woods pretending to be some woodland beast," Philippa retorts. "As it happens, I may have found us one."
"Oh?" I ask. I might not trust Philippa, but I do believe she has Albion's best interests in heart. I just wonder if we have the same definition of 'best interests'.
"Ida Emean aep Sivney, another of our Lodge Sisters," Philippa explains, making me frown as I remember Margarita's teachings.
"Isn't she Francesca Findabair's advisor? From Dol Blathanna?" I ask, making her nod. "Which is a puppet state of Nilfgaard at the moment."
"Officially, Ida would come here of her own volition, of course. But in reality, I've made sure word of Albion's elven and fey heritage has reached Francesca. Dol Blathanna is not thriving, by any measure of the word. Its land is infertile, and few elves have been born there. She'd give much to see her people thrive, even go behind Emhyr's back," Philippa says confidently. "Especially while Emhyr is so distracted with his Northern campaign. Radovid may be a cruel, mad fool, but he knows war, and he's making Nilfgaard bleed for every step further North they take."
"Their land isn't fertile, but they have people to work it while ours is extremely fertile and we have a lack of manpower," I realise, making her nod with a slightly impressed smile.
"Many non-humans have fled to Dol Blathanna and found it unable to support them. The Blue Mountains are an asset for defending Dol Blathanna, but hardly a fertile opportunity for farming," Yennefer agrees with a small frown. I can't tell if she's doubtful of the plan or just doesn't like that Philippa might be onto something.
"Some bought the hype that Dol Blathanna would be some non-human paradise, instead of a puppet state that believes in Elven supremacy. Dwarves and Gnomes have found the place to be far from the paradise they sought, recruiting from them would not be hard, and Francesca would be happy to see them go," Philippa continues.
"Invite Ida. I'm willing to hear her, and by extension Francesca, out if nothing else," I say, making her nod as she bows slightly. Her bows always feel more mocking than respectful, but I think that's just her natural bitchiness coming out.
"Ida also has an extensive knowledge of Elder Blood. She may be able to help with both your powers and finding Ciri," Yennefer continues with a thoughtful frown. "I have some ideas how to use your blood to locate her, but I fear we'll draw the Hunts' attention in the process, so I want to make sure we get this right."
"This is still foolish. Cirilla has been fine for years, she will be fine until we are more set up to deal with such heat," Philippa points out, getting a dirty look from Yennefer. Philippa is good at seeing the downsides to any plan, which does make her useful, if annoying.
It also explains why Yennefer isn't currently thrilled with Philippa. Just because Philippa is being tactical and pragmatic doesn't mean being told 'your daughter should handle the Wild Hunt by herself' is going to sit well.
— Bonus Scene — Ida Emean aep Sivney
"She's playing us," Ida said instantly, making Francesca hum in agreement.
"It's Philippa. She's playing everyone," Francesca agreed easily. "You, of all people, know the power of the Elder Blood. If this Lucas truly is of Lara Dorren's blood, from a branch as she suspects, her claims could be true. A rarity with Philippa, admittedly, but a possibility."
Ida didn't refute her claim, a frown on her face. The Raven Queen was a figure that even she, as one of the Aen Seidhe's greatest historians, knew so very little about. During the Conjunction of the Sphere, a large portion of her race was said to have answered her call and become a new race entirely within the lands of Tír na nòg.
Her influence was noted in several important events throughout their history, but her goals and true intentions were always as shrouded as her history. She herself was hundreds of years old, and yet she could remember the stories of the Raven Queen even during her youth. Was the Raven Queen an immortal elven mage or a god? Nobody really knew.
What was clear was that she had her own plane of existence that she ruled, Tír na nòg. Sometimes known as the Feywilds or the Shadowfell, though there were rumours that those were two different planes that she ruled. Some said Tír na nòg was the true origin of her people, that the Raven Queen was their creator god, but again they had nothing to go on.
The Shadar-kai, her elven followers, had been seen throughout history, hunting down records of the Raven Queen and destroying or stealing them. Whatever the Raven Queen was, she enjoyed the mystique around her.
But her power was undeniable, and if she'd truly stolen away with a child of the Elder Blood, raised him within her lands and even allegedly transformed him into an elf… Yennefer's words about the Raven Queen manipulating Ithlinne's Prophecy made her both hopeful and yet suspicious.
"If this Albion is truly a slice of our home, of our history, it has to be preserved," Francesca finally said, making Ida nod almost immediately. So much of their history had been lost, and even through the Megascope she could see the undeniably Elven architecture.
Francesca went quiet, but deep down, Ida knew where her queen's mind was. Dol Blathanna was a dying land, a puppet of Nilfgaard. Francesca longed to remove Emhyr's leash from around her neck and the necks of her people, and there was no better time than now as Nilfgaard focused its full might upon the Northern Kingdoms.
Emhyr was distracted, a rare state for the Emperor.
Francesca was wondering if this was the edge she needed to throw off her Nilfgaardian master entirely. Of course, this all came down to Philippa telling even the slightest hint of truth in her message, so Ida remained doubtful.